Tag Archives: Mets

Oliver Perez aggravated his right knee on a play at first base last night and may not be able to make his next start, Sunday against Pedro Martinez and the Phillies.

Perez fell behind 4-0, but despite being ineffective, got the win because the Mets scored eight runs in the fourth inning. He worked the fifth but was replaced for a pinch-hitter in the bottom of that inning. Perez tweaked his knee when he stumbled running to first base. He was on the DL for two months earlier this season with right knee inflammation.

“I want to continue to pitch,” said Perez. “But, I have to take care of my knee.”

Old punching bag Ryan Church is in town with the Atlanta Braves which means a lot of David Wright questions about concussions. The Mets didn’t handle the Church injury well last season, but to his credit Church said he felt he could play and never backed off those statements. He could have done a lot of bitching and moaning but never did.

There was always a lot of anticipation to Braves at Mets, but the only suspense this time is wondering if the 55-63 Mets could fall 10 games below .500 if they were to be swept.

A couple of starts ago he was the Good Ollie in San Diego, but Oliver Perez, as has been his history, took a step back in his last start against Arizona with six walks in 5 1/3 innings. More disturbing is Perez’s attitude that “walks are part of the game.” Well, so is getting outs. He ought to try that for a change.

Year One of the three-year, $36-million bust of a contract. Re-signed for his physical gifts, Perez’s downfall has been his inability to focus and to drift away from his mechanics, which lead to wildness and frequently the big inning. There are days when you can’t touch him and other days when you’d like to wring his neck.

And, tonight?

I don’t have the vaguest idea. He is 6-4 lifetime against the Braves, which is promising, then I look at Derek Lowe and the line-up he’ll be facing. Only one player, Luis Castillo, is at his Opening Day position.

Lowe (12-7, 4.08 ERA), whom the Mets by-passed to re-sign Perez, has won four consecutive decisions, and hasn’t given up more than three earned runs in a start since July 5. He is 2-2 lifetime against the Mets.

David Wright said he was embarrassed to go on the disabled list with a concussion and vows to return again this season. His target date is Sept. 1, at Colorado, when he’s eligible.

Wright said he feels fine and is symptom free after his headache cleared.

WRIGHT: Should Mets shut him down?

“I’m sure I’m going to play again this year,” Wright said. “I feel like I have a lot of energy and my mind’s clear and I feel good. And, that’s the most important thing.”

Actually, the most important thing is he stays that way.

People handle injuries differently and there’s no guarantee Wright will experience the same problems as Ryan Church, especially since the Mets are taking an aggressive treatment approach and immediately putting him on the disabled list.

Wright could very well play again this season without incident. Then again, he could play again and have something go wrong. Right now, there just seems no purpose to it unless Wright has some underlying confidence issues about getting back in the batter’s box.